The one where Elder Wong thought I was short

  I hope you had a great week and that all is going well! This week we had zone conference. Elder Wong (who is an area authority) came and spoke to us about how we can baptise more people. It was amazing and it was super fun! We ended up playing a game of basketball to demonstrate the principle of getting members of the wards and branches to help us teach lessons. 

On Monday, we called a friend that we have been trying to get ahold of for a long time. We ended up putting him on date for baptism!! November 11 was the day he chose because he wanted to get baptized on his birthday! This friend is truly elect and all he wants in life is to change for the better and to have the Spirit with him always. It's the most amazing thing ever! 

The work is advancing here in Andover, Kansas. It's starting to cool down here so it's not as humid. Yesterday was hot but it wasn't humid so it didn't feel like death. 

Elder Eardley, Elder , Sister Brady & I doing service.

I'm not very good at taking pictures! That's my goal for this week is to make more pictures. We get so busy and I just forget to take pictures. I have a few though. This week we did some service for a local charity and and was super fun! Our district leader and his companion came with us. And then we met the same companionship at the park to discuss some people that we were teaching. Those are the two photos I have. I will be better!!

Planning session 

P.s. the title for the email came at zone conference. Each time a missionary stood up, they had to say their name, where they were from, and a cool fact about them. The elder sitting next to me said that his fun fact was that he was tall. Elder Wong had me get up to prove if this Elder was tall because he thought I was short. As soon as a stood up he said. " You are taller than the average girl!" And everyone laughed. It was funny! 

The One where I became an Admiral

 I'm finally in Kansas!! I am serving in Andover, Kansas. I am in the best zone in the whole mission. DERBY FOR THE WIN!! I got to Kansas on Tuesday night. We were welcomed by President Ernst and Sister Ernst. We went to their home and they fed us dinner. As we walked into the house, soooooo many missionaries were there to welcome us. It was a really fun first night. 

I experienced my first Kansas lighting storm the first night I was here!! Since there are no mountains, I can see all of the different lighting strikes. It's the coolest sight ever. 

We stayed our first night at the Sister Training Leaders apartment. They are literally the nicest people ever. They have made this transition really helpful for me. They call multiple times a week to check up on me and see how I am doing. 

My trainer is Sister Brady. She is from Ceder Hills. She and I graduated the same year! How fun! 

This week has been a week of change. It's been a lotnof adjusting this past week. But I am grateful for the missionaries that I am surrounded by. They truly care about me and my well being. Some of the sisters brought me crumbl cookies!! They are super nice!! I love them!! 

I have a testimony that Heavenly Father listens to our prayers. The answer might not come immediately. But the answer will come. I have discovered something this week. If everything seems to be going wrong around you, find things you are grateful for. That is my invitation you everyone this week. Make a gratitude list! It will help you in so many ways and it will help you see the miracles and the good that is in this world. I started the 100 golden days on my Facebook stories. If you need some inspiration, visit my page and I will have a video everyday on my story. 

PS: Reason for title: I am a housing missionary. Meaning that I am in charge of making sure that everyone had the things that need for their apartments. I also call missionaries two times a week for cleaning inspections.

One elder texted us and said that cockroaches invaded his apartment. He said that they declared war on the cockroaches. Later that night, we wanted to check in and see if the situation had changed after we told them what to do and who to call. He called me "Admirmal Ellis" because I asked him "how's the war going? Are you winning?" And I called him soldier. It was really funny.

Your Missionary has arrived in the Kansas Wichita Mission

 You missionary has arrived safely in the Kansas Wichita Mission.

 

Sister Nelson

Mission Office

The One where Elder Boss and Elder White were devastated with Barbara

 

Today is my last day at the MTC! I can't believe that tomorrow I leave for Kansas! I feel like I just got here and I'm already leaving! This week has been such a good one. So many spiritual moments and so many good devotionals by the MTC presidency. I love being here. But I am ready to go to Kansas.

Temple Day with district

I posted on Facebook something that happened to my district this week but I am going to share it on my email for those who don't have facebook. 

Mom & Dad sent Crumbl cookies to the district.  LOVED them!

My district and I were going to the exercise field to play some four square. Our district loves this game and there is a court that is close to the temple. We were walking when we saw a group of men that were standing by the stoplight. We were told by other missionaries that had just come from that direction that they just wanted to bible bash us and they had no intentions of wanting to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ. As we crossed the street, I felt the Spirit leave me. The Spirit could not dwell because of what these men were trying to teach us. We just walked past them and didn't speak to them. This experience made me realize that the Spirit is always with me. Sometimes I just don't recognize that it is there. This will not be the last time something like this happens. But it was a testimony builder to me and the rest of my district.

Now I am going to tell you more about my wonderful companion Sister Marlatt! She is from Terrebonne Oregon. She is the oldest in her family and is the first one to go on a mission!! She loves Pepsi and a lot of other sodas (just like me!!). She loves the smell of Coconut! And she is my best friend! I could not have gotten through the MTC without her. She was an answer to a prayer that I had when I opened my mission papers. 

I hope everyone has a great week! I'll be in Kansas when you hear from me next!!

Ps: The title for this email was a role play that I did with two Elders from my district (Elder Boss and Elder White). I was a friend who didn't follow up on a promise and they had to pretend to be devastated. It was really funny at that moment. 

The One where Sister Marlatt dropped her $4 calzone

So many exciting things have happened this week! First off, I am writing to you from the Provo MTC!!! I like to call this place Spiritual Boot camp. I am learning so many things and I'm building on what I already know. The MTC is a place of growth and learning. I am having so much fun!

Wednesday was the day that I left my family in Pleasant Grove, Utah and started my training. Right after I was dropped off, I met all of the sisters in my district. I was the last one to arrive out of our group. After that, we met up as an entire district. It was so nice to see everyone in person and not on a computer screen. I love my district with my whole heart! We are definitely an interesting group of missionaries who have tons of fun but also have strong, spiritually experiences together

Sister Marlatt & I are companions

Sunday was my very first Fast Sunday as a missionary and it was really special. We focused on the Atonement and the character of our Heavenly Father. It was very strengthening. I learned so much by my studies and devotionals that were had. Elder Callister from the seventy came and spoke to us on the Infinite Atonement. There was the devotional where I learned the most. The Spirit was so strong as he was teaching everyone in that audience. 

I want to share my testimony on the power of the Infinite Atonement. I know that Jesus Christ was the only one that could have performed the Atonement. Nobody else could have endured all of the pain and afflictions of us all. I know that he is my Brother. He died for me and he died for you. He loves me and he loves YOU. I love this gospel with all of my heart and I am so grateful that I am the one that gets to share that with others. 

Sister Feldman from my dad's YSA ward helped teach my district this week.

P.S.

The title of this email is a funny one. Sister Marlatt and I were hungry late one night and we have vending machines in the Residence Halls. She saw a Calzone that looked really good that she bought. It was $4. She bought it and put it in the microwave and it took 15 minutes to cook. Then we went back to the room to eat it. As we walked in the door, she dropped it on the floor. It was the funniest thing ever. It may be just me but I thought it was hilarious. 

Elders brought Crumbl 

MTC: Drop off day at the Provo MTC

To say that drop off day is HARD is an understatement.  The night before, the family went to Leatherby's Ice Cream Parlor in Orem to have milkshakes.  The whole family with nieces and nephew in toe and cousin Blakely were all able to come, well except for Mac who had a tennis match in Ogden.  It was a nice evening, but the butterflies of the next day started to set in and tears flowed.

On Wednesday, September 1st, the four siblings, mom, dad, and nieces and nephew all had lunch together at Red Lobster in Orem.  It was the restaurant of Sister Ellis' choosing.  She was a little nervous to eat.  After Blake had to go back to work and the rest of us loaded in the Yukon and went to the Provo temple to take a few pictures.  

After the traditional temple pics, we headed over to the Provo MTC for the drop-off.  We aren't really a fan of the drop-off, but know it is a necessary evil in order for the blessings (mission) to begin.  This is heart-breaking, but we know Kansas Wichita will love our girl as much as we love her.